Shop Talkhttp://tspr.org
enThe Rise of the Rumor Millhttp://tspr.org/post/rise-rumor-mill
<p>In an article for the <a href="http://rtdna.org/article/journalism_s_age_of_shoddy#.VRGqr-ERrSh" target="_blank">RTDNA</a>, former TV news director Forrest Carr refers to this as <em>The Age of Shoddy</em> in journalism.&nbsp; He wrote that instead of fact checking, New Media advocates think it is okay to report rumors and then check for veracity.Tue, 24 Mar 2015 18:49:06 +0000Rich Egger69016 at http://tspr.orgThe Rise of the Rumor MillLetting the Light Shine on Governmenthttp://tspr.org/post/letting-light-shine-government
<p>This is the 11<sup>th</sup> annual <a href="http://rtdna.org/article/rtdna_celebrates_sunshine_week_march_15_21#.VQGrY-ERrSg" target="_blank">Sunshine Week</a>.&nbsp; It was started as a way of promoting the need for open and transparent government.&nbsp; It's observed by journalists and many others who keep tabs on public servants.Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:58:19 +0000Rich Egger68670 at http://tspr.orgLetting the Light Shine on GovernmentMore Spin Doctors, Fewer Fact Checkershttp://tspr.org/post/more-spin-doctors-fewer-fact-checkers
<p>In an article on the “<a href="http://www.takepart.com/feature/2015/02/13/pr-jobs-journalism-jobs" target="_blank">Take Part</a>” website, Eric Alterman wrote that public relations is killing journalism. Alterman pointed out there are now 4.6 public relations specialists in America for every one reporter. And those p.r. specialists make considerably more money on average than reporters.Tue, 10 Mar 2015 19:02:01 +0000Rich Egger68350 at http://tspr.orgMore Spin Doctors, Fewer Fact CheckersNew State Tactic for Keeping Info Secrethttp://tspr.org/post/new-state-tactic-keeping-info-secret
<p><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-hogan-executive-privilege-20150220-story.html" target="_blank">The Baltimore Sun </a>reported new Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's lawyer has urged agency heads and staff to stamp a claim of "executive privilege" -- the civilian equivalent of "top secret" -- on all their internal correspondence, emails and documents.Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:00:19 +0000Rich Egger68000 at http://tspr.orgNew State Tactic for Keeping Info SecretDrones Not Yet Ready for Take-off from Newsroomshttp://tspr.org/post/drones-not-yet-ready-take-newsrooms
<p>The FAA is now accepting public comments on its <a href="http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=18295&amp;cid=TW299" target="_blank">proposed regulations for the commercial use of drones.</a>&nbsp; Interest in the regulation is high among <a href="http://rtdna.org/article/reaction_to_faa_drone_rules_already_flying#.VONjxC4RrSg" target="_blank">news organizations</a> because drones are considered a potential new tool for reporters. However, it could be a year or more before the regulations are implemented and drones can be used for gathering news.Tue, 24 Feb 2015 21:33:03 +0000Rich Egger67639 at http://tspr.orgDrones Not Yet Ready for Take-off from NewsroomsStretching the Truthhttp://tspr.org/post/stretching-truth
<p>The nightly newscasts on the TV networks draw a fraction of the audience they once did, but <a href="http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/319025/heres-why-nbc-didnt-fire-brian-williams/" target="_blank">the fall of NBC lead anchor Brian Williams</a> still sent shock waves through the industry.Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:49:00 +0000Rich Egger67278 at http://tspr.orgStretching the TruthNews Reporting & Public Inputhttp://tspr.org/post/news-reporting-public-input
<p>Some news organizations have decided to drop their on-line comments section because of rude and/or offensive remarks.<span style="line-height: 1.5;">But in doing so they risk eliminating direct feedback from their audience.Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:54:55 +0000Rich Egger66954 at http://tspr.orgNews Reporting & Public InputState-Run Media in the Heartlandhttp://tspr.org/post/state-run-media-heartland
<p>The <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/tim-swarens/2015/01/29/swarens-pence-kills-just-news-site/22528259/" target="_blank">Indianapolis Star</a> reported Indiana Governor Mike Pence planned to begin a media outlet called “Just IN.” </p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">This would have been a website run by the state to break stories and disseminate information to news organizations.Wed, 04 Feb 2015 01:01:24 +0000Rich Egger66579 at http://tspr.orgState-Run Media in the HeartlandSmaller Newsrooms, Larger Coverage Areashttp://tspr.org/post/smaller-newsrooms-larger-coverage-areas
<p>It’s rare to find a news outlet that focuses exclusively on a single community.</p><p>Reporters are being asked to cover wider and wider areas at the same time many newsrooms are cutting back on staff.</p>Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:19:23 +0000Rich Egger66213 at http://tspr.orgSmaller Newsrooms, Larger Coverage AreasSelling Naming Rights for Reportershttp://tspr.org/post/selling-naming-rights-reporters
<p>Long-time Chicago media critic <a href="http://www.robertfeder.com/2015/01/12/wttw-sells-naming-rights-to-phil-ponces-job/" target="_blank">Robert Feder</a> reported: “Phil Ponce isn’t just the host of <a href="http://www.wttw.com" target="_blank">WTTW-Channel 11’s</a> “Chicago Tonight” anymore. From now on, he’s <em>The Alexandra and John Nichols Chief Correspondent and Host</em> for the public television station’s nightly news program.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">“Marking a first in Channel 11’s 60-year history, Window to the World Communications has named an on-air host’s position in honor of a couple of major financial backers.”</span></p><p>Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:26:55 +0000Rich Egger65880 at http://tspr.orgSelling Naming Rights for ReportersRage Against the Mediahttp://tspr.org/post/rage-against-media
<p>Physical and verbal attacks on the media got the attention of people around the globe last week.<span style="line-height: 1.5;">The horrific slaughter at the Paris offices of the satirical publication </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/01/13/376947103/charlie-hebdos-editor-on-new-issue-were-happy-to-have-done-it" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank"><em>Charlie Hebdo</em></a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> received the most attention – as it should.Tue, 13 Jan 2015 21:01:52 +0000Rich Egger65532 at http://tspr.orgRage Against the MediaTalking About the Weatherhttp://tspr.org/post/talking-about-weather-0
<p>The correspondent seen most frequently on the network TV evening newscasts last year was the chief meteorologist for ABC.><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The Associated Press reported that in the past five years, the evening newscasts just about doubled the amount of time spent on stories about weather and natural disasters.<!--break--</span></p><p></p>Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:43:10 +0000Rich Egger65150 at http://tspr.orgTalking About the WeatherProtecting Confidential Sourceshttp://tspr.org/post/protecting-confidential-sources
<p>Reporter Joseph Hosey will not be forced to reveal the source of a leak in a northern Illinois murder case.</p><p></p><p>The Associated Press reported appellate court judges reversed a lower-court ruling that ordered Hosey to name his source.</p>Tue, 23 Dec 2014 17:40:32 +0000Rich Egger64555 at http://tspr.orgProtecting Confidential SourcesVague Info from a Public Agencyhttp://tspr.org/post/vague-info-public-agency
<p>The McDonough County Health Department told reporters they would need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain information about why the agency temporarily closed a restaurant in Macomb.Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:46:02 +0000Rich Egger64206 at http://tspr.orgVague Info from a Public AgencyLittle Local Coverage of Recent Electionshttp://tspr.org/post/little-local-coverage-recent-elections
<p>The gutting of newsroom staffs had a negative impact on local coverage of the fall elections.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">That’s a conclusion from the article </span><a href="http://www.creators.com/opinion/david-sirota/a-big-election-with-little-local-journalism.html" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">“A Big Election With Little Local Journalism”</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> by David </span>Sirota<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> on the </span><a href="http://www.creators.com/" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">creators.com</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> website.&nbsp; He asks, “What if you held an election and nobody showed up to cover it? Americans have now discovered the answer: You get an election with lots of paid ads, but with little journalism, context or objective facts.”</span></p>Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:50:54 +0000Rich Egger63867 at http://tspr.orgLittle Local Coverage of Recent Elections